Southern Illinois University Edwardsville may soon be a Guinness World Record holder for “longest line of books.”

While results await official confirmation from Guinness Book of World Records, a remarkable effort was made on Friday, Sept. 8, International Literacy Day, as the campus and surrounding communities joined to create a path comprising 21,048 books stretching nearly three miles.

A group gathered during a kickoff celebration held Friday, Sept. 8 where donors were thanked and the value of literacy was highlighted. Volunteers worked all day to assemble the long line of 21,048 books spanning nearly three miles. (Photo courtesy of SIUE)

SIUE’s total surpassed the current record, which was set in 2016 with a line of 13,410 books stretching 1.4 miles in the United Kingdom.

“Literacy is the great equalizer between all people,” said organizer Stephen Hupp, Ph.D., professor of psychology in the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB). “I can’t imagine much of a better cause than helping promote literacy not just in this community, but across the world.”

During a kickoff event held on campus, SEHHB Interim Dean Paul Rose, Ph.D., expressed his gratitude for everyone who played a role in the massive effort.

“This world record attempt is a beautiful representation of SIUE’s values,” Rose said. “To see armies of students gathered, reflecting on literacy and children’s needs, and using teamwork effectively to complete a monumental project like this makes our University proud. At SIUE, we believe in powerful learning experiences that engage the community and enhance the places that we live.”

“We worked in teams to set down the books, which had to be touching one another to qualify for the record attempt,” explained Leanna Kehl, a master’s candidate in the clinical child psychology program. “I’m a first-year graduate student here, so this has been a fun way to get to know more people while contributing to a good cause.”

A group of independent witnesses from the community, and professional land surveyors from Hutson & Associates, donated their time to conduct the official measurement and book count.

The majority of the books used for the “longest line of books” will be given to children in Head Start programs in East St. Louis, Cahokia, Caseyville and Belleville. The massive contribution will support Hupp’s ongoing Kid Books Project, which aims to collect one million gently-used books for children in local Head Start programs, ages five years and younger.

SIUE student volunteers help create the line of books that stretched across campus for the Guinness World Record attempt. (Photo courtesy of SIUE)

“Over the years, we’ve been collecting books and sending one book home with every child in Head Start, but this year is going to be much bigger,” Hupp emphasized. “I’m confident we’ll be sending home at least five books with every child.”

Books will also be donated to the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the Greater St. Louis Book Fair and other fitting causes.

“It’s been a wonderful experience, because we know that these books are going to be donated to people who need them,” said Jessica Schultz, a senior psychology major and member of the SIUE Psychology Club.

“This has helped us engage with the community in ways I hadn’t imaged,” Hupp added. “I’ve spoken with people about potential new practicum sites for our students, as well as new outlets to which we could donate books or have them donated for our efforts.”

SIUE organizations helping coordinate the event included the SIUE Psychology Club, Psi Chi, the Head Start Social-Emotional Wellness team, and the Clinical Child and School Psychology graduate program.

Local organizations that provided large amounts of books to the effort included the Edwardsville Public Library, St. Mary’s Catholic School in Edwardsville, Liberty Middle School, St. Jacob Elementary, St. John Newman Church, St. Andrews Church, the Christian Activity Center, Tri-Township Public Library, Glen Carbon Library, and Afterwords Books.

—- SIUE goes for Guinness Record on Literacy Day  —–